The Anatomy Of A Formal Wedding Invitation

A formal wedding invitation is the first glimpse your guests will have into your big day, so it's important to get it right. From the wording to the design, there are a few things to consider when drafting your invitations. Here's a quick overview of what to include and how to format your invitations to ensure they're formal and elegant.

What to include in a formal wedding invitation

A formal wedding invitation should include the following:

The Host Line

The host line is where you indicate who is hosting the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts, and their names are listed at the top of the invite. However, it has become more common to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts, regardless of who is paying. If the couple is hosting or contributing to the cost, you can use a line such as "Together with their families".

The Request to Attend

This is where you extend the invitation to your guests and can be used to set the tone for the celebration. Some examples include:

• "The honour of your presence" (traditionally used to denote a religious service)
• "The pleasure of your company" (used to denote a non-religious ceremony)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

The Couple's Names

The names of the happy couple should be included, along with their formal titles (Mr., Mrs., Mx., Dr., etc.). For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom. For same-sex couples, you can go in alphabetical order or choose the order that looks best with the invitation design.

The Date, Time, and Location

The date and time should be written out in full using words rather than numerals for formal invitations. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon". The venue name and city should also be written out in full, and the street address is usually not included unless it is a private residence.

Reception Information

If the ceremony and reception are in the same location, you can simply state "Reception to follow". Otherwise, include the time and location of the reception on a separate line or on a separate insert card.

Dress Code

The dress code is typically included in the lower right corner of the invitation. If not specified, guests will assume the dress code based on the invitation's formality. For example, a very fancy invitation will likely indicate a formal, black-tie affair.

RSVP Details

Most couples include a separate response card for guests to fill out and return. Alternatively, you can have guests RSVP via your wedding website, which can be included on a separate card.

Tips for formal wedding invitation wording

The wording of your wedding invitation gives your guests an idea of what to expect from your wedding, so it's important to get it right. Here are some tips to help you with the wording of your formal wedding invitations:

• Include all the necessary information: The full names of the couple, the hosts, the date, time, and location of the ceremony, and reception information.
• Use formal titles and full names: Include appropriate social titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Mx.", and "Dr.". For very formal weddings, you may also want to include middle names.
• Spell out all words: Avoid abbreviations and instead spell out words in full, including dates, times, and addresses.
• Specify the dress code: If your wedding has a specific dress code, such as black tie, be sure to include this information on the invitation.
• Consider your envelope wording: When addressing the envelopes, write the names of your guests in full, including their appropriate social titles.
• Allow enough time for sending invitations: For local weddings, send out "save the date" cards 4-6 months in advance, with formal invitations arriving 6-8 weeks before the wedding. For destination weddings, these timings are doubled.
• Be clear about who is invited: On the envelope, list every single guest, including "and guest" for plus ones and the first names of invited children.
• Use ceremonial language: Instead of "you're invited", opt for more formal wording such as "we request the pleasure of your company".
• Include RSVP details: Provide an RSVP date, which is typically 3-4 weeks before the wedding, and clear instructions on how guests should respond.
• Consider including additional information: Depending on your wedding, you may want to include details such as transport information, lodging suggestions, or directions to the venue.

How to word your wedding RSVP card

When it comes to wording your wedding RSVP card, there are a few key elements that you should be sure to include.

Firstly, you'll want to set an RSVP date, which is typically three to four weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise numbers with your caterer and put together your seating chart.

Next, you'll want to include a line for guests to write their names, along with checkboxes for accepting or declining the invitation. For more formal weddings, the traditional "M" line can be used to indicate where guests should write their names, with the "M" designating the first letter of the formal salutation (Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms.). For less formal weddings, a simple "Name(s)" will do.

You may also want to include additional information such as meal choices, with checkboxes or illustrated icons, and perhaps a song request line such as, "We promise to dance if you play __________."

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can include a line such as "Reception to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. If the reception is at a different location, it should be treated as a separate event, with its own separate card included in the invitation suite.

• "Kindly respond by [date]"
• "The favour of a reply is requested by [date]"
• "The pleasure of your company is requested. Kindly respond by [date]"
• "Please reply by [date]"

Invitation wording examples

The wording of formal wedding invitations may vary depending on who is hosting the wedding. Here are some examples to help you with your own:

Bride's Parents Host the Wedding and All Guests Are Invited to the Ceremony and Reception:

> Doctor and Mrs. James Stuart Evans, Jr.

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their daughter

> Mr. Brian Charles Jamison

> Saturday, the twentieth of June

> [two thousand fifteen]

> at half after three o'clock

> First Congregational Church

> Spring Hill, Minnesota

> and afterward at the reception

> Spring Hill Golf Club

Bride's Parents, Who Are Divorced and Remarried, Host the Wedding Together:

> Mr. and Mrs. Allen Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Levy request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Rachel Lynn Levy and Doctor Michael Brandon Smithson Saturday, the twenty-second of March two thousand eighteen at six o'clock Temple Sinai Granville, Ohio

Bride's Mother and Stepfather Host:

> Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Denoyer request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of her daughter Francine Anne Colby to Mr. Jonathan Baker Hamilton Friday, the seventeenth of May two thousand nineteen at seven o'clock Viansa Winery 25200 Arnold Drive Sonoma, California

Bride's Only Living Parent Hosts:

> Mr. [Mrs.] Arthur Watson Driscoll requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of his [her] daughter Susan Patricia to Mr. Drew Randolph Morris Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand twenty at two o'clock New Haven Community Church New Haven, Georgia

Groom's Parents Host:

> Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Diaz request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Ms. [Miss] Latoya Kenisha Armond to their son Mr. Carlos Delapaz Diaz Friday, the fourteenth of November two thousand sixteen at six o'clock St. Thomas Cathedral Spokane, Washington

Both the Bride's and the Groom's Parents Host:

> Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Zimmerli and Captain and Mrs. Aaron David Schwartz request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Cynthia Ann Zimmerli to Daniel Issac Schwartz Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August two thousand fifteen at four o'clock St. James Catholic Church Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bride's Parents Host, and Groom's Parents' Names Are Included:

> Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Zimmerli request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Cynthia Ann to Mr. Daniel Issac Schwartz son of Captain and Mrs. Aaron David Schwartz Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August two thousand fifteen at four o'clock St. James Catholic Church Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bride and Groom Host:

> Ms. Andrea Jane Brigante and Mr. Robert Holden White request the honour of your presence at their marriage Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o'clock First Congregational Church Richmond, Virginia

Both Families Host Together:

> Together with their families Ms. Andrea Jane Brigante and Mr. Robert Holden White request the honour of your presence at their marriage Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o'clock First Congregational Church Richmond, Virginia

Bride's Other Family Members Host:

> Mr. Henry Stuart Evans requests the pleasure of your company at the marriage of his sister Mary Ann to Mr. Drew Randolph Morris Saturday, the fourth of June two thousand nineteen at one o'clock The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, Missouri

>

> Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Winstead request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their niece Ms. Mary Ann Cole to Mr. Drew Randolph Morris Saturday, the fourth of June two thousand nineteen at one o'clock The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, Missouri

Invitation wording line by line

The Host Line

The host line typically includes the names of those hosting the wedding, traditionally the bride's parents. However, it has become increasingly common to include the names of both sets of parents, regardless of who is contributing financially. For weddings hosted by the couple and their parents, a line such as "Together with their families" is often included.

• "Together with their families"
• "Together with our families"
• "Together with their parents"
• "Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Zimmerli and Captain and Mrs. Aaron David Schwartz request the honour of your presence"

Honouring a Deceased Parent

If you wish to honour a deceased parent, their name can be included alongside the couple's name. Here is an example:

"Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez, and James Wilson"

Divorced Parents

In the case of divorced parents, include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name, each on a separate line. For instance:

"Mr. Christopher Williams

Sarah Williams"

The Request to Attend

This line extends an invitation to the wedding and sets the tone for the celebration. Here are some examples:

• "The honour of your presence" (traditionally used for religious ceremonies)
• "The pleasure of your company" (used for non-religious ceremonies)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

The Couple's Names

The names of the couple should be included, with the bride's name typically coming first, followed by the groom. For same-sex couples, the order of names is less important and can be decided based on personal preference or alphabetical order.

• "Samantha Maxx and Andrew Isaac"
• "Emily and Zara"
• "Zara and Emily"
• "Chloe Marie Sinclair & Matthew James Denton"

Date and Time

For formal invitations, the date and time should be written out in full. Here are some examples:

• "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, July 9, 2016, at two thirty in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, the twenty-first of May, two thousand twenty-two, at half after six o'clock"

Venue

The venue's name and location are included, with the city and state written out in full for formal weddings. The street address is usually omitted unless it is necessary for clarity or if the wedding is held at a private residence.

• "The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, Missouri"
• "First Congregational Church, Richmond, Virginia"
• "The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California"

Reception Information

Very formal invitations may include reception details on a separate card. Otherwise, it can be included on the invitation if there is room. If the ceremony and reception are in the same location, you can simply state, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."

Include the time if the reception is not immediately after the ceremony.

Dress Code

The dress code is usually included in the lower right corner of the invitation. If not specified, the formality of the invitation itself will indicate the expected attire.

• "Black tie required"
• "Black tie invited"
• "Black-tie optional"
• "Cocktail attire"

Frequently asked questions